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Many professionals experience loneliness, an epidemic that has a significant impact on their health and careers. Friendship expert Shasta Nelson shows how we can develop meaningful, lasting friendships where we spend the majority of our time--at work.
About the author
Shasta Nelson, MDiv, is a leading expert on friendship and healthy relationships, creator of a global community, keynote speaker, author of several books, and popular media resource. She is turned to frequently for her expertise by magazines and newspapers, online and print, including New York Times, Washington Post, USA Today, Forbes, Real Simple, and Health, and has been interviewed on TV shows such as Steve Harvey’s Steve, Katie Couric’s Katie, Fox Business, The Early Show, and TODAY.
As a keynote speaker and trainer, she speaks across the country, facilitates company off-sites, and consults with organizations committed to connection. Her spirited and soulful voice for strong relationships can be found in her previous books, Frientimacy: How to Deepen Friendships for Lifelong Health and Happiness (Seal Press/Hachette, 2016) and Friendships Don’t Just Happen! The Guide to Creating a Meaningful Circle of Girlfriends (Turner Books, 2013).
Summary
It is virtually impossible to feel connected and supported in life when you don’t feel that way where you spend most of our time—at work.
In The Business of Friendship, friendship expert Shasta Nelson unpacks the distinct ways we can make work relationships the healthiest they can be, both for the sake of the employee and the mission of the company. She inspires readers to see why friendship is crucial to our health and our careers, and teaches us exactly how to develop the supportive and meaningful connections we need.
Our organizations benefit as friendships at work result in higher levels of workplace productivity, employee retention, safety, innovation, collaboration, and profitability. In having a best friend at work, we are seven times more engaged in our job, which translates to better customer service, less absenteeism, fewer workplace accidents, and more loyalty to our organizations.
Through Shasta’s stories, research, and practical guidance, she:
- Breaks down what creates healthy bonds and reveals the 3 requirements necessary in all healthy relationships and teams.
- Helps managers and employees assess the health of their relationships and learn ways to repair and improve them.
- Provides advice for addressing some of the biggest fears around workplace friendships, such as increased drama, favoritism, confidentiality, gossip, toxic coworkers, relationship with bosses, and potential romantic attractions.
The Business of Friendship is for those who are ready to maximize the two most significant factors of our wellbeing—career and relationships. Whether you are a leader or an employee, when you feel more connected and supported at work, everyone wins.
Additional text
Shasta Nelson courageously tackles one of the most dynamic elements in business--friendships. The Business of Friendship provides great insights for organizational leaders and practitioners on one of the key elements of employee engagement and performance.
--Jim Harter, PhD., Chief Scientist of Workplace Management and Well-Being at a global analytics organization
